Got a free tire rotation and wheel balancing today

[Jeff330xi]

Took the X5 in for service today because of a strong vibration in the steering wheel when braking at a high or moderate speed. I suspected warped rotors. We got a call from the Service Advisor (left a message) said the tech said the brakes and suspension 'checked out fine' and the fix is to rotate and balance the tires. I tried calling back and got the SAs voice mail, so instead I called the service manager. I explained the situation and he agreed that rotating and balancing the tires would probably not resolve anything and he would go talk to the tech and call back.
About an hour later the SA left another message saying that she talked to the service manager and they can't do anything more until they rotate and balance the tires at a cost of $88. But they said if this doesn't resolve the problem they won't charge us for the work. I tell my wife to left them do it, and I was fairly certain it wouldn't make a difference. Sure enough, a few hours later they told us that it didn't fix the problem and they were going to have to keep the car overnight. So my wife is driving a '04 325 'loaner' that reeks of stale cigarette smoke and an awful tropical air freshener.

Our 3series said not to rotate the tires, but I cannot find any detail on a recommendation on the X5 (yes/no interval, etc.). What do you guys do? We have a little over 8k and it is just turned a birthday.

Any one else had vibration under braking? If so what was the root cause?

thanks.
-Jeff

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Jeff330xi

Took the X5 in for service today because of a strong vibration in the steering wheel when braking at a high or moderate speed. I suspected warped rotors. We got a call from the Service Advisor (left a message) said the tech said the brakes and suspension 'checked out fine' and the fix is to rotate and balance the tires. Any one else had vibration under braking? If so what was the root cause?
thanks.
-Jeff

Jeff: I thought I was re-reading my own semi-annual rant it is so similar ...I've had the two "area" idiot Stlrs look at my same situ; even had a mechanic drive it and he noticed the occasional high speed braking shimmy. Both Stlrs said the usual suspects were "fine", eg control arms, bushings, etc. and it was a "infrequent anomaly". You can't make this crap up! I asked the SA to define anomaly; he could not, !!!
They too wanted to "rotate & re bal" wheels. I pointed out the fooking manual on the rotate job and did not feel comfortable w/them re-balancing and gouging the hell outta my rims. I've about given up and learned to live with it, among other glitches on my X.

The two Stlrs also hate to be told what any prob or situ "is", when I bring it in; thus, the lack of effort on their part is simply compounded. I still suspect out of spec rotors, or control arms or sumpin, or combination...I'm on orig pads & rotors, by the bye.

Would love to get good diagnosis and get some Stlr to attend to this before my Warr and Ext Maint expires in Sept.
GL, md

[Jeff330xi]

Picked thee car up today, they "looked at the rotors a second time" and rotors were 'still in spec' but 'replaced the rotors and pads under warranty per shop foreman'. No more vibration... imagine that.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Jeff330xi

Picked thee car up today, they "looked at the rotors a second time" and rotors were 'still in spec' but 'replaced the rotors and pads under warranty per shop foreman'. No more vibration... imagine that.

Good to read of your success!
Somehow, some way, I gotta get these bustards to do my rotors/pads and maybe control arms Before my Warr/ExtMaint goes AMF.